The Wire – Week 16: Championship Week

Here are our waiver wire candidates for week 16. As usual, you’ll find players who are either [Startable], a [Stopgap] to get you past a BYE or injury, [Worth a look] and spot on your bench, or [One-week-wonder]s who don’t warrant a roster spot, so you make your roster moves accordingly. You’ll also see the percent owned in parenthesis. With your league championship in sight, I’ve simplified the list a bit this week, as I figure there is a lot less competition for the top waiver wire players this week. If you have any additional questions though, please feel free to ask away and I’ll try to get them before the end of the day so you can finalize your roster as soon as possible. Good luck!

Quarterbacks

[Startable]Alex Smith, SF (68%) – Smith has thrown a lot of interceptions the past few games, but this week he has a favorable match-up with Detroit and should bounce back.

[Stopgap]Kyle Orton, DEN (74%) – Kyle Orton has double digit fantasy points in four straight games and should put up decent numbers against the Eagles this week.

[Stopgap]David Garrard, JAX (69%) – Coming off one of the best games of the season, Garrard could be a decent start against a Patriots defense that has proven to be exploitable.

Others: Vince Young (TEN), Brady Quinn Derek Anderson (CLE)

Wide Receivers

[Stopgap]Austin Collie, IND (72%) – Collie has a touchdown in three straight games now and is most likely not in danger of being benched early as long as he is healthy.

[Stopgap]Chris Chambers, KC (68%) – Even with Bowe’s return, it was still Chambers who was the team’s most reliable receiver. While he probably won’t get 114 yards and a score against the Bengals this week, he’s worth consideration as a WR3 or flex.

[Worth a look]Joshua Cribbs, CLE (48%) – He’s always risky, but he has the chance to earn you points in the receiving and rushing game, as well as kick returns for touchdowns.

[Worth a look]Josh Morgan, SF (10%) – Similar to Alex Smith, Morgan is on here because the 49er’s play Detroit this week.

Running Backs

[Stopgap]Ahmad Bradshaw, NYG (83%) – With two scores last night, it’s obvious that the team feels more comfortable with Bradshaw than Brandon Jacobs in the redzone. He makes for a great flex play if he’s available in your league.

[Stopgap]Quinton Ganther, WAS (78%) – While the yardage wasn’t there last night, Ganther still found the endzone. I have a feeling this week’s game against the Cowboys isn’t going to be a whole lot easier, but he’s worth a shot if you’re in a bind.

[Stopgap]Jerome Harrison, CLE (56%) – I couldn’t find the heart to put a man who just notched the third highest single game rushing total of all time (286 yards) in the “One-week-wonder” category. Just keep in mind that he had seven carries for a whopping yards two weeks ago. Oakland is pretty bad at stopping the run though…

[Stopgap]Maurice Morris, DET (26%) – Morris had 126 yards and a score against the Cardinals and probably won’t put up the same numbers against the 49ers…but maybe you’re a gambling man.

[Worth a look]Larry Johnson, KC (62%) – He hasn’t been used a whole lot thse past few weeks, but this week he plays against his old team (Chiefs) and there’s a chance he could see some extended playing time.

[Worth a look]Michael Bush, OAK (25%) – He had eight total carries in the previous four weeks, then goes huge for over 100 yards and a touchdown. Good luck predicting which Raiders running back will see carries from week to week.

Others: Jason Snelling (ATL), Leonard Weaver (PHI)

Tight Ends

[Startable]Fred Davis, WAS (66%) – Davis has five touchdowns in the past four games and has proven that even when the times get tough for the Redskins, he’s still Jason Campbell’s favorite target in the redzone.

[Startable]Jermichael Finley, GB (59%) – Over 70 yards in three straight games, with three touchdowns in that span.

Even though he plays a tough Bengals run defense, I think you have to go with Jamaal Charles in the running back spot, as he’s been on fire lately. In the flex spot, I’d go with Sidney Rice, who should put up big numbers on national television (Monday night) against the Bears. As for your defense, I like the Saints at home against Tampa Bay, a team that features a quarterback who single-handedly has 9 turnovers in the past three games.

I’d start Jamaal Charles based on his consistency. I’ll take two straight 140+ yard and a touchdown games over Harrison’s last two (9 yards, then 286 yards/3 TD) even if Charles has a tougher match-up.

ok I have a huge dilema at my third reciever position. i have pierre garcon, josh cribbs, and michael crabtree. In my head I have made a case for all three players.. garcon has manning throwing, cribbs can take it to the barn, and crabtree is playing detroit… anybody have any suggestiions?

Crabtree is the safest play and should have a solid game against the Lions this week. Cribbs is too risky and probably won’t repeat last week’s performance and I’m a little scared of the Colts game plan this week.

Hey TJ, you got some tough decisions at running back, but I can’t argue with Steven Jackson and Beanie Wells. At wide receiver, stick with Welker and Austin, but Ochocinco could also be primed for a solid game. At tight end, I’m not sure how you ended up with all those guys, but roll the dice on Finley, who has the most potential this week out of the crew. At defense, Arizona makes an enticing play and is probably worth a start, especially if Keith Null starts for the Rams again. Finally, at kicker, it’s always a crapshoot, but I like Garrett Hartley. Good luck!

Hey Brandon, one more question for you – if I chicken out again at the last minute and pull Sjax (actually turned out to be a good move last week), wondering who you’d rank next: F Jackson @ Atl, Charles @ Cin or Harrison (just picked up) vs OAK?

I would start Jerome Harrison over Addai, just because there is risk that Addai could be benched after a bit to keep him healthy for the playoffs. As for your flex spot, the only change I might consider is Maurice Morris over Kenny Britt.

You were right that Ganther wasn’t a no-brainer over Bradshaw in MNF. I managed to squeak into the championship game. I have the same dilemma this week, but I’ve added Harrison to the mix. (It should be obvious that I’ve had RB issues all season.) I’m now struggling between Bradshaw who has had back to back strong performances, and the one hit wonder up against Oakland. I think it’s safe to take Ganther off the table as between these three given the matchups?

I know it’s hard to sit Harrison after that insane game last week, but I’d go with Bradshaw this week. He’s got a decent match-up with the Panthers and has been getting the carries in the red zone lately. Good luck!

SO I made it through last wk just barely, and only because my opponent played Brady over Big Ben, but I am here. I am up against a team that I will likely lose against, but I at least want to put up a fight. So I need some help…

I’ve got Thomas, Addai, Bradshaw and Moreno (went a little nuts on the waiver wire – why not?!) and could get Morris or Bush if I wanted. While Thomas has underproduced, the matchup is too good to let go I think, which is also why I’m looking at Snelling over the others.

Championship week for me and I rode P. Manning to this point but have to sit him. I now have to decide between Garrard and V. Young at QB. Once other thing to take into consideration is that I have Chris Johnson with Tenn. Fearful about Titans getting shut down and losing a lot of valuable points. Either way, over thinking this decision and need clarity.

No brainer start Meachem Bress will definitly look for blood after losing to Dallas.
A close call but I would start Morris the cowboys look to tough against the run as of lately I do not trust that O-line for the redskins.

Start Bradshaw! Wells as of the last couple of weeks is getting hotter by the week and Hightower took a turn for the worse during the S.F. game. Bradshaw is now showing his explosive hard charging form again. He has come up big lately when given the opportunity and has made the best of it.

I’ve got an RB problem not a lack of RB but a who to bank on for the chamionship? In my league we have 2 RB spots and @ flex spots
i’ve got Rice, Barber, Beanie Wells, Jerome Harrison, Jerious Norwood(who i’d rather not play), and DeAngelo Williams is doubtful but i’ve got Jonathan Stweart too. the rest of my squad is set it’s just those spots i’m qustioning myself on.